How to Teach AAC to Your Student: Implementation Strategies
Vicki Clarke
Theatre Room
Description
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) equipment is becoming commonplace in classrooms. With the advent of easily affordable technology such as iPads and tablets, equipment for AAC use is significantly more accessible than in the past. This presentation looks at 8 key strategies for teaching students to use AAC equipment to increase their functional communication, develop more age-appropriate language skills and improve their participation in the academic environment. AAC partner strategies will be introduced through video and discussion with an opportunity for participants to practice techniques. Strategies are all based on research and clinical evidence. Strategies to be discussed include Aided Language Input, Functional Communication, Response Cue Modeling, Prompting Hierarchy, Sabotage, Student-Centered Interaction, Utterance Expansion and Joint Action Routines.
About
Vicki Clarke is a speech-language pathologist who has specialized in augmentative and alternative communication for over 25 years. Vicki is the CEO of Dynamic Therapy Associates, Inc. and Director of DTA Schools, a division providing multi-district AAC services. Vicki supports school districts in AAC evaluation, equipment procurement, and implementation for individual students in the academic environment. In addition, DTA Schools supports district-wide AAC implementation through the Classroom Communication Goals Project, training and supporting all team members in classroom AAC implementation.
Materials/Handouts
Exhibit Hall
Ballroom
Description
This is a hands-on exhibit hall including national and local vendors in all areas of Assistive Technology. Open all four sessions.
Makerspace: IoT and Home Automation
Bill Binko
Room 301
Description
This session is an explore session. The Makerspace is open for exploration during Sessions 1, 3 and 4. The focus of this session is IoT and Home Automation. STEM programs provide access to amazing technologies and with the self-teaching power of YouTube, today's young makers can do things unheard of in previous generations. However, most of them create solutions without problems: they apply their skills to toys and diversions rather than the real-world challenges they know nothing of. Meanwhile, ATPs have fewer resources than ever before. Customization needed for each client is beyond their own technical abilities, and most have no access to engineers to bridge the gap. In short, they have no makers and no tools. ATMakers.org introduces STEM programs to the AT community. This session will present the results of our collaborations, show hands-on demonstrations of our student-built designs and provide a live walk-through of our best-received ATP primers (Home Automation, DIY Switch Interfaces and more). ATMakers.org
About
A self-proclaimed geek with a background in computer and electrical engineering, Bill married into Special Education and went on to found LessonPix.com. He has now created ATMakers.org, a new non-profit effort to introduce STEM and Robotics programs to Assistive Technology. Materials/Handouts
Join us in this session as we share the trials and tribulations of bringing a new assistive technology program to students and teachers to support struggling readers and writers. We will share our implementation plan, training process and uncover the amazing features that are revolutionizing the way students learn! Find out how easy it is to change the landscape of literacy access and make learning fun!
About
Renee is a Supervisor for Special Education and Vice President of the International Dyslexia Association
Materials/Handouts
I See What You're Saying: Visual Tools to Improve Communication
Julie Beacham, Shirby Thomas
Room 320
Description
This session will explore how to use various types of visual supports to engineer the classroom setting to increase communication, independence, and smooth transitions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, and Developmental Delays. Samples of visual supports will be available for review and idea development.
About
Ms. Beacham and Ms. Thomas are Assistive Technology Intervention Teachers for Henry County Schools. Ms. Beacham has 12 years of experience working with students with low incidence disabilities. Ms. Thomas has served as a Speech-Language Pathologist for 16 years.
Materials/Handouts
Smackdown
Facilitators: Amanda Inman and Jessica Morman
Room 321
Description
A smackdown!!! Sounds a bit strange. No fear there will be no bodily harm. A smackdown is an opportunity for you and your fellow seminar attendees to share some of the online and tablet-based tools you use in the classroom. This is a fast-paced session that allows each audience member 2 minutes to show and share how the resource helps their student/child. We will have ways to project iPad and other tablet devices for demonstrations. The facilitators will also share some of their favorite resources. All of the resources will be captured on a back channel for you to have after the session. If you want to share but are not sure about standing in front of the crowd, then no worries just enter your resource info at the link below. :)
Classroom AT Solutions for Students Who are Visually Impaired
Carmen Willings
Room 343
Description
This presentation will specify AT solutions for students who are blind or visually impaired to use within the classroom. The presentations will specify strategies to access near and distance print, access electronic information as well as tools for producing accessible written communication.
About
Carmen Willings is a TVI with the Forsyth County Schools. She has taught students with special needs for 23 years, with the last 18 years working with students that are visually impaired. She is also the founder and developer of the web resource Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, found at www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com.
Materials/Handouts
Finding the Fun(ding): AT Funding in Georgia
Danny Housley
Room 359
Description
This session will cover some of the resources people can use to acquire assistive technology in Georiga. We will be covering initiatives out of Tools for Life like Credit-Able, gTrade and Dollars and Sense as well as organizations throughout the state that provide access to AT.
About
Danny has worked as the AT Funding Speacialist for 2 years, worked in disability rights for ten years and assistive techology for five. He currently manages the Credit-Able program.
Materials/Handouts
Exploring Boardmaker Online
Courtney Moss
Crescent 2206
Description
Did you know that Boardmaker Online allows you to create more than print-based activities? In this session, we will explore the most popular components of Boardmaker Online. Presenters will demonstrate how to use the software to engage and assess all students in any content using fully accessible and easy to learn features. Participants will leave with the ability to sign up for a trial account and start creating their own materials! By the end of this session participants will be able to: Describe 3 traditional uses of symbol supported materials List one template that could be used to engage learners in the following areas: communication, self-help, grade level activities, IEP goals Discuss how to use Boardmaker Online to monitor student progress
About
Courtney is a certified Speech Language Pathologist who previously worked in Fulton County Schools with the special needs pre-k population. She has worked with Tobii Dynavox for 6 years now specializing in AAC and software for special education.
Materials/Handouts
Low Tech Strategies to Support Written Expression
Helen Upshaw
Piedmont 1106
Description
Using the definition of Written Expression as “the purpose of recording messages which can be retrieved by everyone who knows the language...” the presenters will demonstrate strategies and tools for the audience to consider adding to their tool belt in supporting students who have difficulty with written expression.
About
Helen Upshaw is the Coordinator for the Assistive Technology Team in Cobb County, Georgia.
2:00 - 3:00
How to Teach AAC to Your Student: Implementation Strategies
Vicki Clarke
Description
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) equipment is becoming commonplace in classrooms. With the advent of easily affordable technology such as iPads and tablets, equipment for AAC use is significantly more accessible than in the past. This presentation looks at 8 key strategies for teaching students to use AAC equipment to increase their functional communication, develop more age-appropriate language skills and improve their participation in the academic environment. AAC partner strategies will be introduced through video and discussion with an opportunity for participants to practice techniques. Strategies are all based on research and clinical evidence. Strategies to be discussed include Aided Language Input, Functional Communication, Response Cue Modeling, Prompting Hierarchy, Sabotage, Student-Centered Interaction, Utterance Expansion and Joint Action Routines.About
Vicki Clarke is a speech-language pathologist who has specialized in augmentative and alternative communication for over 25 years. Vicki is the CEO of Dynamic Therapy Associates, Inc. and Director of DTA Schools, a division providing multi-district AAC services. Vicki supports school districts in AAC evaluation, equipment procurement, and implementation for individual students in the academic environment. In addition, DTA Schools supports district-wide AAC implementation through the Classroom Communication Goals Project, training and supporting all team members in classroom AAC implementation.
Materials/Handouts
Exhibit Hall
Description
This is a hands-on exhibit hall including national and local vendors in all areas of Assistive Technology. Open all four sessions.Makerspace: IoT and Home Automation
Bill Binko
Description
This session is an explore session. The Makerspace is open for exploration during Sessions 1, 3 and 4. The focus of this session is IoT and Home Automation.STEM programs provide access to amazing technologies and with the self-teaching power of YouTube, today's young makers can do things unheard of in previous generations. However, most of them create solutions without problems: they apply their skills to toys and diversions rather than the real-world challenges they know nothing of. Meanwhile, ATPs have fewer resources than ever before. Customization needed for each client is beyond their own technical abilities, and most have no access to engineers to bridge the gap. In short, they have no makers and no tools. ATMakers.org introduces STEM programs to the AT community. This session will present the results of our collaborations, show hands-on demonstrations of our student-built designs and provide a live walk-through of our best-received ATP primers (Home Automation, DIY Switch Interfaces and more).
ATMakers.org
About
A self-proclaimed geek with a background in computer and electrical engineering, Bill married into Special Education and went on to found LessonPix.com. He has now created ATMakers.org, a new non-profit effort to introduce STEM and Robotics programs to Assistive Technology.Materials/Handouts
Struggling Readers and Writers No More!
Renee Bernhardt, Debbie Ritter, Debbie Brineman, Joyce Derr
Description
Join us in this session as we share the trials and tribulations of bringing a new assistive technology program to students and teachers to support struggling readers and writers. We will share our implementation plan, training process and uncover the amazing features that are revolutionizing the way students learn! Find out how easy it is to change the landscape of literacy access and make learning fun!About
Renee is a Supervisor for Special Education and Vice President of the International Dyslexia AssociationMaterials/Handouts
I See What You're Saying: Visual Tools to Improve Communication
Julie Beacham, Shirby Thomas
Description
This session will explore how to use various types of visual supports to engineer the classroom setting to increase communication, independence, and smooth transitions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, and Developmental Delays. Samples of visual supports will be available for review and idea development.
About
Ms. Beacham and Ms. Thomas are Assistive Technology Intervention Teachers for Henry County Schools. Ms. Beacham has 12 years of experience working with students with low incidence disabilities. Ms. Thomas has served as a Speech-Language Pathologist for 16 years.Materials/Handouts
Smackdown
Facilitators: Amanda Inman and Jessica Morman
Description
A smackdown!!! Sounds a bit strange. No fear there will be no bodily harm. A smackdown is an opportunity for you and your fellow seminar attendees to share some of the online and tablet-based tools you use in the classroom. This is a fast-paced session that allows each audience member 2 minutes to show and share how the resource helps their student/child. We will have ways to project iPad and other tablet devices for demonstrations. The facilitators will also share some of their favorite resources. All of the resources will be captured on a back channel for you to have after the session. If you want to share but are not sure about standing in front of the crowd, then no worries just enter your resource info at the link below. :)Materials/Handouts
https://todaysmeet.com/gate2017Classroom AT Solutions for Students Who are Visually Impaired
Carmen Willings
Description
This presentation will specify AT solutions for students who are blind or visually impaired to use within the classroom. The presentations will specify strategies to access near and distance print, access electronic information as well as tools for producing accessible written communication.About
Carmen Willings is a TVI with the Forsyth County Schools. She has taught students with special needs for 23 years, with the last 18 years working with students that are visually impaired. She is also the founder and developer of the web resource Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, found at www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com.Materials/Handouts
Finding the Fun(ding): AT Funding in Georgia
Danny Housley
Description
This session will cover some of the resources people can use to acquire assistive technology in Georiga. We will be covering initiatives out of Tools for Life like Credit-Able, gTrade and Dollars and Sense as well as organizations throughout the state that provide access to AT.
About
Danny has worked as the AT Funding Speacialist for 2 years, worked in disability rights for ten years and assistive techology for five. He currently manages the Credit-Able program.Materials/Handouts
Exploring Boardmaker Online
Courtney Moss
Description
Did you know that Boardmaker Online allows you to create more than print-based activities? In this session, we will explore the most popular components of Boardmaker Online. Presenters will demonstrate how to use the software to engage and assess all students in any content using fully accessible and easy to learn features. Participants will leave with the ability to sign up for a trial account and start creating their own materials!By the end of this session participants will be able to:
Describe 3 traditional uses of symbol supported materials
List one template that could be used to engage learners in the following areas: communication, self-help, grade level activities, IEP goals
Discuss how to use Boardmaker Online to monitor student progress
About
Courtney is a certified Speech Language Pathologist who previously worked in Fulton County Schools with the special needs pre-k population. She has worked with Tobii Dynavox for 6 years now specializing in AAC and software for special education.Materials/Handouts
Low Tech Strategies to Support Written Expression
Helen Upshaw
Description
Using the definition of Written Expression as “the purpose of recording messages which can be retrieved by everyone who knows the language...” the presenters will demonstrate strategies and tools for the audience to consider adding to their tool belt in supporting students who have difficulty with written expression.About
Helen Upshaw is the Coordinator for the Assistive Technology Team in Cobb County, Georgia.Materials/Handouts
GATE Talk: Yvette Pegues
Ms. Wheelchair International
About
Yvette Pegues. M.ED, is a Professional Speaker, Educator, Author, Advocate, Ms. Wheelchair International and the Founder/CTO (Chief Transformation Officer) of Your Invisible Disability Group. She is the thought-leader of the © 4/4's Signature Program Pillars for Newly Disabled & Diagnosed persons, exclusively synopsized in her training workbook, The "Art of Adaptability." Co-author of, "My Mommy had Brain Surgery & I'm Okay!" with her young sons, Isaiah and Elijah: www.YourInvisibleDisabilty.com/shop.